Absorbing information for to pull a trigger

[alexmak]

I live in PA, slightly to the west of Philly. My son is graduating from a university this year, and his new job starts mid-September. So we have approx 3 months and I figured what could be the best way to spend this time than to build a Shelby Cobra kit together? We are both into the cars, with some some curiosity and some tools, plus my son was able to plow through the college in three years, so we saved some money on tuition. I say win-win! :)
Anyway, to get most of the stuff by early June we should order soon, so I’m going through a crash course now trying to learn as much as possible about FFR kits to place an order. And then my questions will come in :) please don’t judge me!

[Robodent]

Sounds like a plan. Going to the build school with you son would be a great start. The school will get you going in the right direction and cut your build time in half. Rob

[alexmak]

Thanks, school is being considered

[Jim1855]

I spent a lot of time reading prior to my purchase. A good plan indeed. Still read a lot and contribute where I can.

You may want to attend The London Cobra Show, mid-June, SW of Columbus, OH. This is a good opportunity to see many FFR cars and the others and talk to owners.

Developing your idea of what you want the car for and intended uses goes a long ways towards making good decisions. But plans change; budgets are a good idea but usually the first of the plans to change. How you use it may change as well. Then there's the HP/TQ, this for many, is the "addiction". Too much HP is possible I suppose but too little control is more likely.

Enjoy your planning and build, a great way to spend time with your son.

Jim

[Sell1]

WOW. What a great thread. Awesome plan. Time with your loved ones.... you will never get it back and sounds like you and your son are close.
I just got back from the build school. Instructors Jim and Todd. Two great guys, I learned a bunch and had already built a 32 three rod from scratch. I would highly recommend that you and your son attend. In my class there where two father son teams. They appeared to have great time.
The class had people from all over at every competency level. Great fun had by all, dinners together after the class each day.
The London show is great as well. Attended last summer. Factory Five of course was there. Got to meet Dave S. and he personally show my wife that I could in fact fit in a Daytona and that even more important that I could get in and out of it. As we age this becomes most important.

Getting on the forum and asking many questions is certainly a start. Going , meeting and interacting with FF guys is just so much fun. Car guys true and true....

Have a great time with the ride.

[GoDadGo]

Welcome To The Family!

My suggestion is to watch the attached Factory Five Build Video Strings (if you haven't already) and then order the assembly manual (again, if you haven't already) and then check out the build threads of Edwardb's last two MK-4's...His work is 2nd to none and his build threads are extremely well documented.

Factory Five Build Video Episode #1:
https://youtu.be/NnJdjMKDC_g?list=PLWvfrZxPoPnbmHRjXTlVS-CVcPoK4x6lB

Edwardb's SBF Build:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update

Edwardb's Coyote Build:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18591-EdwardB%92s-Mk4-8674-20th-Anniversary-Build

Welcome Aboard & Good Luck From The Dark Dart Side!

Steve

[Papa]

Welcome! Lots of good advice already given, but one aspect of your plan should factor in where you get locked in. For example, IRS vs. solid axle. Some things can be changed down the road and may help with the immediate budget. Keep in mind, most plan changes come with a budget impact. Or, you can do like many of us and throw the budget out the window once you pull the trigger and just go with what you like. The nice thing about these projects is you don't have to put artificial deadlines on yourself. They take however long they take. Enjoy the build process!!

[delta0014]

If you want everything by June, I would order soon. I ordered my kit in August and I still don't have all the parts yet.

Then you can build the chassis dolly, body buck and get all your tools lined up prior to arrival.

Also reading through other's build threads and the manual was a lot of help before starting.

[Ducky2009]

You didn't mention how much experience you have working on car. I only bring this up because of your 3 month timeline, sharing this experience with your son. I have lots of experience and it took me 3 months to get to go-kart stage (no bodywork or paint), and that would be considered fast. It's been a great experience building my car.

I'd say do it... and as you said, better start NOW. GoDadGo mentioned, buy the manual now. $10 gets you a digital copy in minutes. The build school is also a great place to start learning. GoDadGo's link to Edwardb's build is a wonderful example with lots of standard and extra thinks you can include.

So, ,What are you waiting for? lol

[alexmak]

Wow, lots of great suggestions, thanks everyone! We do have some mechanical experience, including with cars (swapping air intake, rotors and brakes, installing brake ducts - mostly minor stuff), and I’m being realistic that most likely we won’t be done in three months time. (Shut up, panic attack!) Hopefully we will get through the major stuff, and then it can be a slow winter weekends projects - more reasons for son to visit us from NY :) I already went through FFR’s videos (too bad they stopped at 13), and played with configuration. I’m almost set on the engine (347 injected Blueprint) and IRS, and contemplating the rest - I understand that there are big thing that seriously affect a frame and build in general, and then there are other things that can be changed later. I’m ordering the manual as I write this response, and I’m looking forward to pulling the trigger soon :)

Again, thank you everyone for making me feel welcome here, I’m very excited!

[BadAsp427]

Welcome... You and your son are in for a great time. I completed my build in 3 mo working 99.5% alone. I worked 4 hours per day M-F and 8-12 hours on Saturdays... I started in Aug 18 and finished to gel coat driver in December 18. And then put 9500 miles on it over the past 12 months... It's all fun... Your 347 Blueprint is an awesome way to go IMO. That is what I have and it is FUN!!! Just over 410 HP. Feel free to reach out and ask your questions...
Carl